If you compare the web with how one makes a desktop application, laying out objects on the display and deciding what gets colored and whatnot would be considere

If you compare the web with how one makes a desktop application, laying out objects on the display and deciding what gets colored and whatnot would be considered coding - it's just that the web has abstracted away these portions into static files. I feel that the root of my frustration with HTML/CSS is that it enforces a specific design pattern (that of boxes and inheritance) that is so bulky and unintuitive. But I do agree with previous commenters that it seems like splitting hairs to declare web stuff not "coding". In practice, you would very much like a "coder" (someone with a CS background/education) to be handling your HTML/CSS, then have a lay person doing that work.